While the male American soldiers stationed in Iraq are receiving gift boxes with cigars and football equipment, some local residents decided to send off boxes for the female soldiers.
The idea started when Clarkston resident Denise Seifferlein was talking with her daughter Rachel who is stationed in Iraq.
“When we were talking on the phone she stated how a lot of the items being sent over were male oriented. She said there were 11 women in her unit and she wanted to do something for them for Christmas,” Denise said.
That is when Denise sprung into action. She is an employee of the “Basket Full of Yarn,” located on Main Street, and decided to get some of her friends involved.
The store hosts knitting groups throughout the day and Denise asked some members if they were interested in knitting hats for the female soldiers stationed in Iraq.
“My daughter said they were told it gets very cold there in the winter and we thought this would be a great idea,” Denise said. “The people in our group said they would love to do it so we put it together.”
The group knitted 11 hats for the members of Rachel’s division. Included in the gift box was shampoo and conditioner along with a personal note.
“We are both a social and learning group. We have become a group of friends who know about everybody else and their families,” Denise said.
Denise is excited about the women receiving their Christmas gifts.
“I just talked to my daughter this morning and she said they were able to get a tree to decorate so the boxes will be under the tree. This will be real nice for the holidays,” Denise said.
Rachel is a 28-year-old graduate of Clarkston High School who has been in the service for 1 1/2 years. She is in unit 426 of the 101st Airborne Division. The 426 unit is responsible for ammunition and fuel.
“November was a violent month and she said they are anticipating that to continue for some time,” Denise said.
The Ferris State University graduate is stationed in northern Iraq. She began to become interested in military service during the Christmas season of 2001.
“She just said this was something she needed to do,” Denise said. “It is important that we don’t forget what they are doing for us over there. It is also important to remember there are a lot of women serving over there and they need our support also.”